"The H6 (yes a new numbering system is amongst us) [...]"

Well, it's about time. Here I was thinking, "We need a new battery
numbering system, and we need it now!" and Hey Presto! my wish has come
true.

--
Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
1984 Westfalia, auto trans,
Bend, Ore.

On 12/12/2014 03:46 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> The H6 (yes a new numbering system is amongst us) replaces the BCI group 48
> battery. Yes it is about 5/8" taller than the BCI group 41. Like most AGM
> you will find over time the best part of the design is the advertising.
> There life expectancy is all over the place and failure is usually sudden. I
> have been around these things in many shapes and sizes including large UPS
> and forklift applications. What they seem to like the least is temperature
> changes. Anything that makes them vent makes them loose some electrolyte
> until one or more cells dry up. That's it mate!
>
> Getting 4 years out of a battery for intermittent or severe use is not that
> bad. As for the Interstate the same battery at Walmart is a lot less and the
> way treat the warranty is to refund what is left and you get that new
> battery with new warranty. Works real well if you have failure during the 2
> year free replacement.
>
> Dennis
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Max Wellhouse
> Sent: Friday, December 12, 2014 11:45 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Another Primary Battery Option
>
> Folks:  Just bought an Autocraft H-6 AGM battery for like $170 at Advanced
> Auto in hopes I'll find a solution to cold starting up here in Iowa.  I've
> gone through two Interstates over the last 7 or 8 years and they are lasting
> just about long enough that it's not worth using up the remaining warranty
> trading it in on a new one.
>
> The H-6 has the recessed terminals and fits in the Vanagon box just fine,
> but is about a half inch too tall for the metal lid to properly close.  I
> drilled out the small rivets holding the hinge on the rear of the lid and
> will make a small shim and reattach the lid as time allows.
> If that doesn't work.  I have a couple of wood and/or fiberglass options
> that should work and still have clearance for the seat sliding
> if the shim idea isn't workable.   I keep a thin piece of conveyor belt
> glued to the underside ofthe  metal lid for extra protection in the positive
> terminal side of the compartment.  The facytory hold down clamp was modified
> slightly so it could contact the battery housing properly
>
> The $170 for the battery is a lot for someone on my budget, but the glass
> mat technology intrigues me and having the 950 CA/760 CCA rating should help
> out this time of year.  I'm not saying for all of your to run out and buy
> one just yet, but I will be monitoring how it performs this winter.
>
> DM&FS
>